Antique Outside Light Fitting

[PhilipKS]

Hi all again,

As part of my house restoration project I'm thinking about reinstating an antique 'antwerp' style outside lantern which was previously installed.

I know I can get modern replacements etc, but the whole project has been about conservation of historical and original bits of interest where possible...but where safety is concerned etc.

The metal lamp clearly predates routine earthing and is fitted with an insulated ceramic bulb holder with no earth connection point. The shot shows the light dismantled, with glass, weather sealing removed etc.

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• PhilipKS
• 23 Jun 2009
• 1

The lamp was previously connected via a T&E through the wall, fed up through the arm of the lamp and connected to bulb holder so no connection block etc that was not weather protected. The earth core was just clipped off

I can reinstall in a similar way (not the clipped off earth!) as I have a length of T&E coming through the wall, but I'm not sure how to deal with the earthing. I could drill and self tap a screw into the lamp and make an earth connection via lug ring terminal, or connect an earth via a lug ring between the ceramic holder and galvanised connector. Or terminate the earth safely and leave unconnected... (for info it is an RCD protected circuit)

I've got a sparks coming in a few weeks - are there any tests he could do to confirm that a new earth is adequate etc. ?

Or should I abandon the lamp, or send to some kind of professional lighting restorers?

I know there must be a solution as restored original lighting is widely available from specialist outlets.

Thanks all as usual!
cheers
PhilipS

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Maybe the photo doesn't do it justice, but it doesn't look to me like an original historic feature of interest - it looks like a pile of corroded junk.

It also doesn't look like a Class II item, so it should be earthed, RCD or no.

 

[PhilipKS]

pile of corroded junk

Well I quite like it!! It just needs some black hammerite & some TLC

Oh and an earth by the sound of it...its certainly not Class II double insulated
cheers
Philip

 

[333rocky333]

A lampholder from a appleby bulhead fitting should fit that.

The earth is dealt with at the other end using a serrated earth ring tag inside the mounting flange beneath the locknut.

 

[oharaf]

I recently 'revamped' the paint work on some just like them. Does anyone know if it is possible to get new covers??? They can be earthed nicely from the rear by the way

 

[PhilipKS]

They can be earthed nicely from the rear by the way

give me a clue?

any chance of a photo maybe?

Thanks
Philip

 

[oharaf]

No photo sorry I am not going 20ft up just to take a pic.

Simply drill through the edge of the base and use a fine 'roof bolt' then paint over

 

[bernardgreen]

Simply drill through the edge of the base and use a fine 'roof bolt' then paint over

Not the best way to ensure an effective earth if that was what you meant.

A serrated washer should be used to ensure later corrosion does not comprise the connection between CPC and metal work.

Two options for the earthing.

[1] As close to the lamp as possible where there is the highest risk of leakage due to dampness on the exposed contacts in the lamp holder.

[2] On the main body of the item as that is the part most likely to be touched by a person.

I personally think [1] is the better option as the risk of cable insulation abraiding or melting in the stem is minimal.

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• bernardgreen
• 27 Jun 2009
• 1

Or earth both places

 

[oharaf]

top call Bernard